Oct. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- SharjahThe inaugural Green Middle East Environment Excellence Awards was announced on Wednesday, October 17, with the prestigious Environmental Visionary of the Year Award going to H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qassimi and the Green Personality of the Year Award to Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi.

The honour has been bestowed on Sheikha Jawaher in recognition of her role in guiding several Sharjah entities, including the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, in conserving precious resources, protecting and enhancing environment, and strengthening the sustainable growth of the Emirate’s and the country’s economy.

H.H. Sheikha Jawaher, wife of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is the Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and the Sharjah Ladies Club.

“We are proud to honour Emirati women in two of the prestigious award categories. H.H. Sheikha Jawaher is the leading light of several organizations and initiatives in Sharjah... her patronage, leadership and contributions have ensured that campaigns launched by local entities to reduce, reuse and recycle and achieved their targets... while also setting benchmarks in sustainability,” said Mr. Mohamed Salim Al Musharrekh, Board Member, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while speaking at the awards ceremony.

The Green Personality of the Year Award winner Habiba Al Marashi is the co-founder and Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group. The award recognizes her role in spearheading the growth of EEG from a small voluntary organisation to a large network both locally and globally as well as her contributions as the President of Arabia CSR Network and the UN Global Compact GCC Network.

“Habiba Al Marashi started EEG before anyone really knew what recycling was about. Today, it is the leading green NGO in the UAE and is well known globally too. We are happy to honour the first Emirati eco warrior with the Green Personality of the Year Award,” he added.

In the remaining 12 award categories, the Market Transformation Award / Best Environmental Campaign of the Year Award went to Environment and Protected Areas Authority, while the Natural Resources Conservation Award was won by Emirates Transport, and the Best Regional Sustainability Initiative Award to DP World.

“We have demonstrated time and again that the concern for the environment and resources has constantly guided the Emirate’s economic policies. We were one of the first in the region to launch pioneering green initiatives like Bee’ah, reverse vending machines, and the environment awareness award and now the excellence award. We like to consider these as just a beginning towards more interesting times and exciting trends,” said Mr. Musharrekh.

The inaugural Green Middle East Environment Excellence Awards was aimed at recognizing best practices and initiatives in energy efficiency, recycling, waste & water management and other related areas across the region.